Psalm 6 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Psalm 6
Tears, weakness, and answered prayer
Verse 6:1 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:1] For the director, with stringed instruments, upon the eighth. A psalm of David.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:1] For the end, among hymns, concerning the eighth. A psalm of David.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: The musical heading differs in director/end and instruments/hymns. Both retain the eighth without deciding whether it denotes a register, instrument, day, or another technical referent.
Verse 6:2 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:2] YHWH, do not rebuke me in Your anger,
and do not discipline me in Your fury.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:2] Lord, do not rebuke me in Your fury,
nor discipline me in Your anger.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Both ask that rebuke and discipline not occur in divine wrath; neither asks for the erasure of all correction.
Verse 6:3 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:3] Be gracious to me, YHWH, for I am languishing;
heal me, YHWH, for my bones are terrified.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:3] Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am weak;
heal me, Lord, for my bones were troubled,
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The appeal for mercy and healing corresponds. Hebrew expresses bodily terror or disturbance; Greek says the bones were troubled and continues into the soul’s distress.
Verse 6:4 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:4] My soul is greatly terrified;
and You, YHWH—how long?
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:4] and my soul was greatly troubled.
And You, Lord—how long?
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The intense inward distress and unfinished how-long appeal correspond; no additional divine action is inserted to complete the question.
Verse 6:5 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:5] Return, YHWH; deliver my soul.
Save me for the sake of Your steadfast love.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:5] Return, Lord; rescue my soul.
Save me for the sake of Your mercy.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Both request return, rescue of the soul and salvation grounded in divine loving mercy.
Verse 6:6 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:6] For in death there is no remembrance of You;
in Sheol, who will give You thanks?
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:6] For in death there is no one who remembers You;
and in Hades, who will give You thanks?
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Hebrew states absence of remembrance; Greek names the absent remembering person. Sheol and Hades remain each source’s designation, without replacing the lament with a developed doctrine of the afterlife.
Verse 6:7 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:7] I am weary with my groaning;
every night I make my bed swim,
with my tears I dissolve my couch.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:7] I grew weary with my groaning;
every night I will bathe my bed,
with my tears I will wet my resting place.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both use exaggerated images of tear-soaked bedding. Hebrew’s swimming and dissolving are more intense than Greek’s bathing and wetting, but the distress corresponds.
Verse 6:8 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:8] My eye has wasted away from grief;
it has grown old because of all my adversaries.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:8] My eye was troubled from anger;
I grew old among all my enemies.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew’s eye remains the subject of growing old; Greek explicitly changes to I. Hebrew grief or vexation and Greek anger also give differing descriptions of the distress.
Verse 6:9 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:9] Depart from me, all who work iniquity,
for YHWH has heard the voice of my weeping.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:9] Stand away from me, all who work lawlessness,
for the Lord heard the voice of my weeping.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The command to wrongdoers and the reason in answered weeping correspond.
Verse 6:10 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:10] YHWH has heard my supplication;
YHWH will receive my prayer.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:10] The Lord heard my petition;
the Lord accepted my prayer.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Hebrew moves from hearing to anticipated reception; Greek reports both hearing and acceptance as completed.
Verse 6:11 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:11] Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly terrified;
let them turn back and be ashamed in a moment.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:11] May all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled;
may they turn back and be greatly put to shame quickly.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both wish a swift reversal upon the enemies. Greek repeats great intensity in the final shame; the Hebrew final line stresses its suddenness.